Freight train driver was asleep and drug-affected when trainee made error on outback trip

Updated
Wed May 28 14:00:12 EST 2014

Rail company Genesee and Wyoming has introduced drug testing programs after a supervising driver was caught asleep and with drugs in his system.

The man was supervising a trainee driver on a rail trip from Adelaide to Katherine in the Northern Territory in August 2012 when the train failed to change tracks at Tarcoola in the far north of South Australia.

It continued towards Perth for two-and-a-half kilometres before someone stopped it.

An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found the trainee had not met minimum competencies and his supervisor had fallen asleep.

The man later returned a positive test for amphetamine and methamphetamine, which he had taken when not on duty.

The safety bureau has recommended more robust procedures be used to manage training and supervision of drivers.